Chatting with Over the Monster

by Ed Valentine on Aug 21, 2009 10:58 AM EDT in News Comment 22 comments

Our New York Yankees square off with the villainous Boston Red Sox this weekend in Boston. In advance of the weekend war, Randy Booth from Over the Monster and I had a little online chat thanks to the magic of Google. The results are below.

Randy Booth: Here's a big umbrella question: how important is this series for the Yankees? We know it's huge for the Sox, but what about NYY? Is there the same impact?

Me: I don't think so at this point. To be honest, I judge by the fact that I don't even really care that it's the Red Sox this weekend. The Yankees have been incredible for a while now, and I just want to see them continue to play well.

One more thing. I wouldn't mind seeing a sweep and seeing the Yankees bury the Red Sox playoff hopes.

Randy Booth: Bury the Sox's playoff hopes, huh? Well they have been playing well recently (7-3 in last 10 games). As far as how big it is for the Sox well, that is obvious. A sweep would be amazing, but 2 out of 3 wouldn't be too shabby either. The Sox will have a work to do with their Nos. 3, 4 and 5 starters doing the work on the mound.

Me: It's funny, because starting pitching was supposed to be this area where Boston had unmatched depth. I guess it hasn't worked out that way.

Randy Booth: No it hasn't, not when Dice-K goes into Hideki Irabu-mode and John Smoltz pulls a post-Dodger Kevin Brown. The good thing is that Josh Beckett and Jon Lester are two of the best and while it'd be nice to have three aces in the playoffs, two could probably do the job as well. How are those starters doing in NY?

Me: Well, Sabathia has been amazing of late, and Burnett is much better than I thought, even if he is the king of the wild pitch. Since the All-star break, Joba Chamberlain has shown once and for all why the Yankees want him to start. Pettitte has also been good. As for the No. 5, Mitre has mostly gotten to the 5th, 6th inning and that is enough. There is also Chad Gaudin to make some spot starts, so it's been real good.

Randy Booth: Speaking of Sabathia and Burnett, and now that we're in August, looking back to the offseason, has Sabathia, Burnett and Mark Teixeira been worth the money so far? Obviously that was the hot talk over the offseason, but do you think they've lived up to first-year expectations?

Me: Without question, yes. Of course, in New York it's all about October (as it is in Boston), so no matter what they do in the regular season they will be judged by the playoffs.

Me: I think Teixeira, though, is probably the biggest factor in the whole Yankee-Red Sox thing. The Yankees got him, Boston didn't as we know. And we know what merry-go-round first base has been for Boston, and they have had a hole in the middle of the lineup. Plus, Tex is a wayyyy better defender than I ever thought.

Randy Booth: The Red Sox's first base situation really hasn't been a merry-go-round because of any negative reasons, though. They brought in Victor Martinez, who gives the Sox depth and, of course, Terry Francona has to find a way to play him (almost) every day. Kevin Youkilis, if you consider him the Sox's full-time first baseman (he has split a lot lately at third), has actually been our best hitter all season.

Randy Booth: As far as that hole in the middle of the lineup ... yes. Definitely. Teixeira's performance would definitely look nice in the middle of the Sox's lineup, but the past is the past. Thankfully, Theo Epstein made a move for Martinez and he's been hitting lights out so far. He's not Teix, but he's a legit hitter -- something I was skeptical of at first, I will admit.

Me: Last thing then I have to run. I believe in my heart that this is the best Yankee team since pre-2004. Starting pitching, bullpen, lineup, versatile bench. The year hasn't gone the way you would like for Boston thus far, but how do you feel about the team's chances overall. Sox are still scary with Beckett and Lester if they get to the playoffs.

Randy Booth: I'm feeling ... better. I really have that gut feeling that the Red Sox have gone this far and still haven't clicked yet. Whenever the pitching is on, the offense is off. Whenever the offense is smashing the ball, the pitching falters. There will be a stretch where everything, from top to bottom, is working really well all at once. I think we'll see that before the season is over and I hope the Sox can carry that momentum into the postseason.

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Haven't clicked yet?

Buddy, sometimes they just don’t click.

"We're only going to score 17 points?" ~ Tom Brady

by mwilli on Aug 21, 2009 11:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I remember

When Theo made all those “BRILLIANT!!!” moves, oh, what were they called? Oh yes, “Low risk, high reward”. He was heralded as Billy Beane with a real budget. Turns out in baseball low risk, high reward usually ends up with lousy results. If the Sox really wanted a game changer they should have gotten Cliff Lee or Halladay. The Sox love Buchholz more than we love Joba+Phranchise for some reason. For the Sox to get deep intp the playoffs they must play near perfect, where as the Yankees would merely need to play above average. I said it all season long, position for position we have a clear advantage up and down. CC and Beckett are a wash, AJ and Jon are almost identical, MO and Paps are a wash. The Yankees have a better number 3 and 4 in Andy and Joba. Our middle pen and the Sox’ are comparable right now, though I would give them a slight edge. We just field a better team right now. Not to disparage the Sox, but truth is we have more depth all the way around. Not to mention how well our infield defense has been. Unlike the Sox our infield is static and basically never changes except for when someone needs a day off. A-Rod has been a good glove and fantastic arm like usual at third, Jeter has been positioning himself so much better this season (notice there are less of those Jeter across the body throws to first?), Cano is an underrated defender and has been consistent this year and of course Tex is Tex, he is a vacuum cleaner. This series is very important for Yankees this weekend. While the pressure is much less than the last series, we can break their spirits by taking 2 of 3. Even if we take just 1 game we will still be 5.5 games ahead. Let’s end this silly little notion about the Sox winning the East, and we can do that this weekend. BUT I want the Sox to get the wildcard. I want the Yankees to beat the Sox in the playoffs to get 2004 out of my mind.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Aug 21, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A view/response from a Sox fan-

First, and perhaps most importantly, what I don’t disagree with-the Yankees do field a better team. I felt that way before the season started, but I thought the gap would be less than it has been. I also agree that the “low risk-high reward” signings were actually higher risk than they looked. The were viewed at the time as the acquisition of depth (eg acquiring a 5th and 6th starter with Buchholz as a seventh option) to counter-balance a rotation of the Yankees that was better at the top.It clearly has not worked out that way in part because Dice-K never really pitched and Wakefield has not pitched since before the AS break. Thus, Penny and Smoltz became the 3-4 starters. Now that becomes high risk, and we have seen what happened. The loss of these two pitchers has had a big impact. While one can say the Dice-K loss was the analog of the Wang loss (fair) there has been no equivalent of a Wakefield loss for the Yankees. Wake was roughly the same as Pettitte is now (Wake 11-3, 4.31 ERA. 4.19 FIP; Pettitte 9-6 4.09 ERA 4.12 FIP). Like Pettitte, Wake can go deep in games and was averaging nearly 6.5 innings a start. It matters, but it is not what has made the Yankees the better team. The Yankees exceed (my) expectations because their defense has improved, especially at SS, to some degree at 2b, at 1b, and in CF if Gardner plays. They are much more efficient defensively than in the past. Secondly, the pitching is much better than at any recent time. I would say that they Yankees pen is actually superior to the Sox. Rivera is significantly better than Papelbon this year, and the Yankees have quality arms that can give multiple innings (eg Aceves) while the Sox don’t. Lastly, the Yankees core of older players, especially the ones that looked in recent times to be breaking down or fading (Posada, Matsui, Jeter and Damon) have exceeded projections. While the Sox core of older players have not. Lastly, I disagree that Sabathia and Burnett have been equal to Beckett and Lester. If you look at FIP, probably a better way than looking at ERA, Lester and Beckett (3.06 and 3.32) have been better than either Sabathia and Burnett (3.68 and 4.32). In fact Pettitte has been better than Burnett (and so was Wakefield). Sabathia and Burnett are both top quality pitchers, however.

by Buzzy on Aug 21, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No mention of David Ortiz' horrid slumping

in April/May? The Sox never dropped him down in the lineup and continued to slot him in cleanup. Surely, that has cost the team a few runs/games earlier on when Ortiz was almost an automatic out.

by BigSlim on Aug 21, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

but the Sox were actually playing better then, and Bay and Youkilis were overperforming. The line-up spot for one player is not likely to matter much.

by Buzzy on Aug 21, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only thing I would correct in there

Is the “somewhat” improved defense at 2b and 1b. I think the Yankees right side has been absolutely lights out defensively. While Cano has made more errors than Tex the right side has been muched improved over a year ago. That goes with Tex’s better range at first than the previous years starter and Jeter’s improved positioning at SS still I think the effect has been more than just somewhat improved.

by IDCWhoYouLike on Aug 21, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tex

is a huge upgrade over Giami no doubt. I should also mention that I am a huge upgrade over Areu in right. I was only meaning to imply that ss, cf etc are more important position upgrades.

by Buzzy on Aug 21, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Over the Monster

the title of the same exact article (except for the first paragraph) on Over the Monster: “Dueling with the Devil a.k.a. Talking with a Yankee fan.”

by jeter751 on Aug 21, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

they really have an inferiority complex

You’d think they’d be over that, after 2004 and 2007. But lessons learned over 80 years aren’t easily un-learned.

by long time listener on Aug 21, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we at PA

try to be respectful and civil toward our neighbor SBN blogs. we’ll let Boston fans take the lower road.

by Travis G on Aug 21, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as the Yanks don't get swept...

…this weekend will be fine.

I almost forgot they were playing Boston when I was making plans for this weekend. Now I feel obligated to watch even though I don’t particularly care all that much.

by New York Sports Jerk on Aug 21, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The interview

was funny b/c they were both being PC but still taking little jabs at each other.
I keep hearing that this thing is over and the Yanks have won the division. After 2004, it’s never over until they have actually clinched. I really hope they go up BAWSTON and play and beat the Sux like they stole something.

by Mondoas on Aug 21, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I must admit

The usual “pepper” you get with a Yanks vs Sox weeked series isn’t as hot……..But strange things happen in baseball. I don’t believe in jinxes or curses so here goes:

The Sox sweep= a 3.5 game lead with 38 to play…..not an impossible mountain to climb sports fans. Highly unlikely, but not impossible. With this 6.5 game lead I don’t feel like we’re riding into the sunset just yet. Let me see x-Yankees in the standings (clinched division) then I’ll be slightly at ease.

by ReggieARodJeter on Aug 21, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

all the Yanks have to do is take one

that won’t clinch the division, but will keep the Sox at a reasonable distance.

i’d have to believe that a Yankees sweep would pretty much lock things up. 9 1/2 with a month to play is too large of a deficit to overcome – unless you’re chasing the Mets. zing.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Aug 21, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

snap

by NumberSeven on Aug 21, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Am i the only one that wants a sweep? i want to punch these guys in the mouth while thier down. let them know earlier this year was a fluke.

But one win is good it’ll keep us a 5.5 not a huge lead but enough IMO

by Yankz09 on Aug 21, 2009 5:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

IMHO the new ballpark has helped tip the scales.

The Sox have always had a distinct home field advantage, and this year is no exception (38-18)

This years Yankees team has had a stroke of luck in how the new ballpark has played to their strengths. The park has helped bring the power out of the lineup and the Yanks have homered their way to a 41-18 record in the Bronx.

I couldn’t wait to get the Sox back to the Bronx a couple of weeks ago. After only playing two of the 0 for 8 games at home, i knew the sox were in for a pounding.

i actually think that given how well the Sox play at home, and the fact that Jason Bay who killed us in April will participate, make this is another important test to see just how good the yanks are. If we take 2 of 3 or sweep, i think we all should start getting really excited.

"Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that's a straw, you see? You watching?. And my straw reaches acroooooooss the room, and starts to drink your milkshake... I... drink... your... milkshake!"-Daniel Plainview

by yankee come lately on Aug 21, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How can you all....

Screw the sox…. bury them in their own back yard.

Take 3 give none…

by Gangsta Yanksta on Aug 21, 2009 5:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes!

by Yankz09 on Aug 21, 2009 5:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I for one believe a sweep is needed

Girardi likes to sit the whole core of the offense all at once and it would make me nervous with a 31/2 game lead.A 9 1/2 game lead allows room for rest before the playoffs.Unless they really go after best record for home field.Plus I really hate the sox and there ignorant fans,just the ignorant ones,some I find are knowledgeable but 3 out of 10 is not good.

by cashman bashman on Aug 21, 2009 6:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs